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Van Hanegem should take his words back, says Sneijder
Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 by Goal.com

Van Hanegem should take his words back, says Sneijder

Netherlands playmaker Wesley Sneijder has hit out at Dutch legend Willem Van Hanegem, who spoke candidly about several members of Bert van Marwijk's side.

The 68-year-old former Netherlands assistant claimed that defender Wilfred Bouma should no longer be selected despite his experience because "he's always injured and never ready to play," and stated that some young players should be given a chance instead.

"He should have said that when he was our assistant coach, not now," the Inter midfielder told NUSport. "Mr. Van Hanegem should talk about our national team with a little more respect. At least that's how I'd like it to be."

In his controversial column, Van Hanegem also wrote that Dirk Kuyt is not good enough to represent the country.

"He works hard, but many other also do, and he's not a real winger," he stated.

Sneijder now believes the former Dutch international should apologise, and sais he no longer takes the analyst's opinions seriously.

"I hope he takes his words back", the former Ajax and Real Madrid player stated.

Holland will start their Euro 2012 campaign on June 9 against Denmark.

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    The Top 3 Teams of Previous Tournaments

    Year Winners Runner-up Third place
    2008SpainGermanyRussia / Turkey
    2004GreecePortugalNetherlands / Czech Republic
    2000FranceItalyNetherlands / Portugal
    1996GermanyCzech RepublicFrance / England
    1992DenmarkGermanyNetherlands / Sweden
    1988NetherlandsSoviet UnionItaly / West Germany
    1984FranceSpainDenmark / Portugal
    1980West GermanyBelgiumCzechoslovakia
    1976CzechoslovakiaWest GermanyNetherlands
    1972West GermanySoviet UnionBelgium
    1968ItalyYugoslaviaEngland
    1964SpainSoviet UnionHungary
    1960Soviet UnionYugoslaviaCzechoslovakia